Ken Schmidt / Iron Fist / Stone Mint Chocolate Imperial Stout - Stone Brewing Co.

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Fry, er, I mean Tyrsis for hooking me up on this trade! Mint chocolate is my favorite ice cream, and I like stouts, and I liked pouring creme brulee from Southern tier on ice cream, so this sounded like it was up my alley.

Pours out very dark brown, thin beige head on the top of the beer, no more than 1/4". Didn't do a whole lot in terms of lace or retention. Aroma, nicely minty, not heavy handed with it, ample chocolate aroma as well, its dark and bitter chocolate in the aroma (and taste).

Taste, it was a little different, took a second to get used to, but ultimately my mouth got used to drinking a high alcohol chocolate stout with a definite wintergreen mint type of presence to it. Was actually kinda dry without a ton of sweetness, I was expecting ice cream type sweetness, but this was very dark chocolate I suspect that lends itself moreso to being dry and bitter moreso than sweet. The body of the beer was just a tad thinner than I think would be ideal for it. Very minor complaint, if you can even count it as being such a thing. Good roasted malt presence minimized slightly by the mint chocolate. Slightly more bitter than expected, who knows, maybe Stone still kills it with the hops even in this beer, or maybe its really a big contribution from the dark bitter chocolate and malt.

Totally wouldn't mind if they made this every year. They should. Hire Ken Schmidt already and make this year round. Same with that Kona one he did.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 02:06:06 | More by Beerandraiderfan

FUwolfpacker

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -2%

06-17-2013 01:20:57 | More by FUwolfpacker

huysmans

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2%

06-16-2013 13:34:28 | More by huysmans

andysc83

South Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +16.4%

06-14-2013 20:40:04 | More by andysc83

djre4orm

Virginia

4/5  rDev -2%

06-13-2013 19:23:30 | More by djre4orm

greg4579

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

06-09-2013 17:43:19 | More by greg4579

savagepm

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

06-07-2013 22:35:51 | More by savagepm

aslamm75

Indiana

4/5  rDev -2%

06-07-2013 00:12:55 | More by aslamm75

westcoastbeerlvr

California

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

06-04-2013 02:48:49 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

smartassboiler

Illinois

5/5  rDev +22.5%

06-02-2013 18:05:37 | More by smartassboiler

vkv822

Oregon

4.31/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

on-tap @ Belmont Station.
from notes.

Black, with a foamy, creamy light brown head.

Tons of chocolate and mint in both the nose and taste. Really awesome.

Full, creamy body with mild, foamy carbonation.

I was very pleasantly surprised with how prominent, and well done, the chocolate and mint are. Reminds me very much of the Andes thin mint chocolates. A real treat.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2013 06:40:27 | More by vkv822

beercatbrew

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2%

05-27-2013 16:32:15 | More by beercatbrew

ste5venla

California

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

05-27-2013 08:37:11 | More by ste5venla

Photekut

Azerbaijan

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

05-26-2013 00:21:01 | More by Photekut

Absolut

California

4/5  rDev -2%

05-23-2013 23:07:35 | More by Absolut

drh1382

Texas

4/5  rDev -2%

05-23-2013 20:18:44 | More by drh1382

pisano

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -2%

05-23-2013 13:39:31 | More by pisano

verge

California

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

05-21-2013 18:02:07 | More by verge

SpdKilz

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

05-21-2013 02:21:21 | More by SpdKilz

kemoarps

Missouri

4.36/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Deep black, mid-brown billowy head that hangs out and laces the glass like a pair of sneakers.

In a blind smell test, I would be hard pressed to pick which was which between this beer and a pack of thin mints (disclosure: I absolutely LOVE thin mints. Like, more than is healthy. If I had to choose between giving up thin mints for the rest of my life or giving up beer for the rest of my life... well, ok I'd probably give up the cookies, but I'd have to at least think about it). sweet dark chocolate, peppermint, some roastiness...

The taste has much of the same. The mint is less pronounced, but leaves a nice clean finish on the back end. The chocolate becomes more bitter cocoa powder/baking chocolate, a little burnt malts. mildly bitter.

very smoothe. The alcohol is a little more apparent than I would prefer, but by no means is it 'boozy.'

I really like what this beer is. This is not going to be for everyone, and it's not one I would necessarily drink alll the time, but it is a very well crafted beer featuring a set of flavours that are very near and dear to me.
If it sounds even the slightest bit appetizing to you I'd look for it.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 06:31:42 | More by kemoarps

Craigory

South Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +16.4%

05-19-2013 22:07:09 | More by Craigory

beernads

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -20.3%

05-18-2013 06:38:08 | More by beernads

Zimm

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

05-15-2013 17:32:09 | More by Zimm

Zbeetleman

California

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

05-15-2013 02:58:52 | More by Zbeetleman

videofrog

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

05-15-2013 01:36:36 | More by videofrog